Untitled - Library

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337. Musa basjoo, Sieb., Jap. JBas/io ; a perennial
herbaceous plant of the order Musaceae cultivated in gardens.
Late in spring it shoots forth its leaves to a height 10 fts. In?
summer it bears yellow flowers protected with large bracts. They
are succeeded with fruits, which, however, do not come tomaturity
unless in hot climates. During the frosty season the
leaves wither and only the sheath remains ;
so it must be covered
during the severe winter. From the sheath, fibre is obtained. In
the Okinawa Islands, a different species of Musa grows plentifully,
arid from its fibre, the natives weave a cloth called
Basho-fu (Musa linen).
338. Juncus balticus, Dent/i., Jap. Kohige ; a
perennial herb of the order Juncaceae cultivated in paddy fields^
It grows to a height of about 3 fts. In summer its stalk bears
small flowers arranged in branches under about 3 inches from the
top of the leaves. The stalks are cut and woven into mate called
Bingo-omote. They are also used to make hand-baskets. The-
Tuncus (298) is of the same use, but softer.
i/
339. Typha angustifolia, ., Jap. Himegama ; a *
perennial aquatic plant of the order Araceae growing in swampsand
ponds. In spring
it shoots forth broad flat leaves to a height
of 6-7 fts., and in summer the flower-stalks grow to the height of
the leaves, bearing male and female flowers separately at the top.
The latter is in the form of a spadix of a length of 8-10 inches
and a diameter of an inch. When fully ripen, the flower flies off"
by the wind like cotten. It is used for tinder, candle-wick,
paper-making, etc. The leaves are used for mats, baskets, and
ropes. There are two varieties, large and small, which are of thesame
use. The young leaves can be eaten as a vegetable.
340. Cyperus nutans, Vahl. y
Jap. Shichido, Riukiu ; *
a perennial aquatic plant of the order Cyperaceae cultivated in
paddy fields. In spring, triangular stalks grow to a height of
4-5 fts., bearing fine flowers arranged on little petioles. In
autumn they are cut, dried and woven into green mats called
Riukiu-oDiote or Ao-wushiro.